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Camden to get 395 jobs

Of those, 160 workers will be moved from Burlco

Camden Mayor Dana Redd, left, listens during a meeting of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority Thursday, July 10, 2014, in Trenton, N.J., where a vote was taken on a $260 million tax break over 10 years for a manufacturing firm that wants to do business in Camden. AP/ Mel Evans
Camden Mayor Dana Redd, left, listens during a meeting of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority Thursday, July 10, 2014, in Trenton, N.J., where a vote was taken on a $260 million tax break over 10 years for a manufacturing firm that wants to do business in Camden. AP/ Mel EvansRead more

TRENTON - New Jersey officials yesterday approved tax incentives worth $260 million over 10 years for a company to bring 395 jobs - many of them in manufacturing - to Camden, a city in dire need of employment options.

While the jobs promised by Holtec International are welcome, some city activists are questioning the price.

The company, which makes energy plant components, told the state it would bring 235 new jobs to the city and move 160 from nearby Marlton. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority estimates the state and local benefits will bring in $155,520 more than the incentive amount over 35 years.

Bob Bryant, a member of Camden Churches Organized for People, challenged authority members about the deal during a public comment period yesterday, which was held after the board voted unanimously to grant the incentives.

"The $260 million amount of money sounds like a lot for only 250 jobs," Bryant asked. "Why so much for so little?"

Bryant said he fears the company's arrival will not do much to lower the city's unemployment or poverty rates. About 2 in 5 residents of the city live in poverty.

Camden Mayor Dana Redd, who attended the meeting in Trenton, said it shows the city can attract jobs.

"It's a great day for the city of Camden regardless of some of the naysayers out there," she said after the vote.

The company plans to make small nuclear reactors from the plant to be built in the South Jersey Port and shipped from there; it says that no nuclear materials will be at the site.

Redd said she and Gov. Chris Christie would have a more detailed announcement next week about a program to train Camden residents for the jobs that are to be created under the deal.

She said that only then would a breakdown of how many jobs would be in manufacturing be provided.

Redd stopped taking reporters' questions after she was asked about the involvement of George E. Norcross III in the deal. Norcross is a member of Holtec's board and a Democratic Party powerbroker.

The deal is the third-largest economic incentive the EDA has ever offered a business. The bigger ones are for struggling high-profile enterprises - the American Dream development in East Rutherford and Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.

Under a 2013 law to streamline incentives, Camden received special considerations.

Holtec is just the second firm to use the only-for-Camden provisions. Last month, the Philadelphia 76ers were approved for $82 million in tax credits to bring their offices and practice facility to the city's waterfront.